ARMN vs EQX vs KGC vs IAG

For growth investors, Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN) is the stronger pick with 81.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 22. 1% for Equinox Gold Corp. (EQX). Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) offers the better valuation at 15. 3x trailing P/E (9. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN) a "Buy" — based on 1 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) is the cheapest at 15.

3x versus Aris Mining Corporation at 46. 9x. On forward P/E, IAMGOLD Corporation is actually cheaper at 7. 7x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: IAMGOLD Corporation wins at 0. 12x versus Kinross Gold Corporation's 0. 78x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN) delivered a total return of +820.

9%, compared to +60. 5% for Equinox Gold Corp. (EQX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ARMN returned +824. 8% versus EQX's +236. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

46β versus IAMGOLD Corporation's 0. 93β — meaning IAG is approximately 103% more volatile than ARMN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 36% for Aris Mining Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN) is pulling ahead at 81.

7% versus 22. 1% for Equinox Gold Corp. (EQX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Aris Mining Corporation grew EPS 192. 9% year-over-year, compared to -47. 1% for Equinox Gold Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, IAG leads at 44. 7% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) is the more profitable company, earning 33.

9% net margin versus 8. 4% for Aris Mining Corporation — meaning it keeps 33. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KGC leads at 43. 2% versus 23. 8% for EQX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ARMN leads at 49. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 12x versus Kinross Gold Corporation's 0. 78x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, IAMGOLD Corporation (IAG) trades at 7. 7x forward P/E versus 10. 4x for Equinox Gold Corp. — 2. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IAG: 60. 9% to $29. 50.

In this comparison, KGC (0.

4% yield) pays a dividend. ARMN, EQX, IAG do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

46), +824. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ARMN: +824. 8%, IAG: +439. 4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Basic Materials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.